Reclaiming Youth in Elementary Schools:The Circle of Courage in Action!!

[Mike]

Hi All... hope this finds you well!

Recently i had the good fortune to go to a Reclaiming Institute in Nashville, TN.

I had the opportunity to present some of my thoughts on creating Reclaiming Schools with one of the co-creators and writers of the book- Reclaiming Youth At Risk- Our hope for the Future, Steve Van Bockern.

It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to share and to explore Nashville! Had never spent any time there... it was fun and enjoyable.

Did you know that some folks still think Elvis is alive :)

I have attached the presentation i did.

Take a peek and let me know what you think.

be well.... mike

[Mike]

Hi All...killing some time at the apple store...which is right on the beach here in southern new jersey.

The storm is moving away but the waves are still very big.

Wondering how one might embed a power point into this machine?

be well..mike

[Ellen Pham]

Hi Mike- I use Ispring pro to convert ppt files to flash. After I have generated the flash file, I have to upload it somewhere on the web so I can grab the url. This is what I'm doing now. After I have the url, I will insert it into a flash embed code... it'll take a minute : )

[Ellen Pham]

Then I right click (not sure what you do on a Mac!) on the swf file and choose open in a new tab, and grab the url:

http://api.ning.com/files/yDKgS2MJ7I82p5QEvk8jrvPn5nmedJoZBknh4U5uT...*W7KdsEYJ/CreatingPositiveLearningCommunitiesinourScho.swf__And I insert it into an embed code that I can send you in an email (I think I also have some directions on EFL Classroom someplace, I'll look for it)

[Ellen Pham]

Yeah, it worked! I got ispring pro on a Giveaway of the Day... I know it usually costs a bit. I haven't found a free online alternative that works, but since I got ispring pro I haven't looked very hard for it either!

It only takes a minute or two to generate the flash file... I'd be happy to do that for you as a stop-gap measure : )

[Mike]

Hi Ellen.... hope this finds you well and
thank-you so much for taking the time to do this for me!!!

It is exactly what i wanted to try and do!!!

How very nice of you to take some time to help...

Thanks again.... mike

[Daniel Bassill]

Ellen, thanks for the tutorial. I did not know how to convert a ppt to flash before reading this.

[Ellen Pham]

Mike and Daniel, I so enjoy sharing this type of thing. It truly brings me pleasure. If I know how to do something, it is my delight to share. And if you forget, you can ask again, as many times as you need to! I forget all the time : )

David, later tonight I'll send you a flash embed code that works very well... I can't post it here because the code won't show : )

But I have to run now and walk my dog before it is dark.

[Ellen Pham]

While on my way to the river, I realized all I have to do is upload a word document with the code in it. I've included simple directions. Feel free to contact me if you get confused.

EMBED code flash.doc

[Ian Carmichael]

Thanks for the posting Ellen. I don't know how well it works, but ispiring also provide an ispring free version (which appeals to my deep pockets and short arms!)

[Mike]

Hi All.... hope everyone is well today...

just wanted to notice how cool this is... folks communicating and helping one another out who are all over the place.... Ian even about to enter summer as we begin to feel the cold winds of winter! Daniel in Chicago and not even sure where you are ..... amazing isn't it?

Thanks again Ellen...appreciate the help.... and the simple directions :)

be well..... mike

[Ellen Pham]

Portland, Oregon, Mike!

I re-posted an old blog, My Beautiful Life, about my city-town.

[cindy fadel]

HI Mike,

I looked over the power point and philosophically I agree with the concept, there are some differences in what I am doing. I am in full agreement of the atmosphere of safety and respect. I am agreement that kids must be given the environment in which they can learn and prosper, but in my pilot, this will not take place in the school and they will be virtual students without obligation of attendance. Our task and obligation is to create a place that the children come by choice. We are not trying to give the children the skills to survive in the classroom( the current system) we creating a new kind of place " that fits the kids) We will put relationships as our first priority and this includes relationships with families, kids, the community, educators, as well as kids with kids. We will do this by modeling, letting the line between learner and facilitator, become blurred. Everyone can be a teacher and leader. We will have a community mentoring program. ( I am still trying to put this together)The arts will be of equal importance to the core subjects and the delivery of education will be in many forms. The kids and families will have direct input as to how they would like to acquire knowledge.
We will give relevance to the knowledge and let the kids apply what they learn and help each other. A site director will be there daily, but the kids will have teachers upon request. They will be given a chance to master learning on their own with support and encouragement to pursue learning through a passion. Seeking knowledge and application will be lead by the learner.
I don't know if this makes sense in such a short version without much detail, but you might see that there is really not a place for discipline in this type environment where we are all learning together and teaching each other.
I feel discipline will not be a necessary component, most think I am naive, I am willing to say they may be more experienced and correct. I just can not think of a system of " judgment" that I am comfortable with, there is probably something out there. I am a real fan of Rudolf Stiener's Philosophy of freedom. It was my parenting manual. :)) I am seeking advice of how discipline fits this learning environment. Any ideas?